Concealable window sprinkler

Abstract

A concealable sprinkler head includes a frame having a body mountable to a fire suppression liquid source, a pair of frame arms and a pair of corresponding drop pins slidably engaged with a respective frame arm. A thermal trigger is supported within the sprinkler frame. A fluid deflector is secured to the drop pins and includes a generally horizontal surface. The drop pins extend substantially orthogonally from the horizontal surface. An inclined surface of the fluid deflector extends angularly upwardly from the horizontal surface. A concealing cup surrounds the frame arms. A cover plate is attached to the concealing cup, covering the distal end thereof, wherein the drop pins and the deflector are positioned within the concealing cup. The cover plate is removable from the concealing cup permitting the drop pins and the deflector to axially slide out of the concealing cup into an operational position.

We claim: 
     
       1. A concealable sprinkler head in combination with a space:
 the concealable sprinkler head comprising:
 a sprinkler frame comprising:
 a body mountable to a fire suppression liquid source, the body defining a proximal inlet, a distal outlet and an internal fire suppression liquid passageway extending therethrough; 
 a pair of frame arms extending away from the body; 
 a pair of corresponding drop pins each being slidably engaged with a respective frame arm; 
 a sealing plug positioned in a sealing position to seal the internal fire suppression liquid passageway, maintaining the sprinkler head in a non-spraying state; 
 
 a thermal trigger supported within the sprinkler frame and operatively engaged with the sealing plug and configured to release the sealing plug from the sealing position upon activation of the thermal trigger, 
 a fluid deflector secured to the pair of drop pins, the fluid deflector including an at least partially planar surface, the pair of drop pins extending from the at least partially planar surface, and an inclined surface extending angularly upwardly from a portion of the at least partially planar surface toward the sprinkler frame; 
 a concealing cup having an upper wall attached to, and laterally outwardly projecting from, the body of the sprinkler frame, a skirting side wall extending away from the upper wall, and an open base end, the pair of frame arms being at least partially positioned within the concealing cup; and 
 a cover plate attached to the concealing cup, covering at least a portion of the open base end of the concealing cup and maintaining the pair of drop pins and the fluid deflector in a compressed, non-activated position, at least a portion of the cover plate being removable from the concealing cup at a predetermined temperature, permitting the pair of drop pins and the deflector to drop down relative to the compressed, non-activated position into an extended operational position; and 
 
 the space comprising a ceiling and a window within the space and oriented substantially perpendicularly to the ceiling; 
 the concealable sprinkler head being mounted in the ceiling such that the inclined surface of the fluid deflector is further away from the window than the at least partially planar surface, whereby fire suppression liquid is deflectable onto the window. 
 
     
     
       2. A concealable sprinkler head in combination with a space:
 the concealable sprinkler head comprising:
 a sprinkler frame comprising:
 a body mountable to a fire suppression liquid source, the body defining a proximal inlet, a distal outlet and an internal fire suppression liquid passageway extending therethrough; 
 a pair of frame arms axially extending away from the body; 
 a pair of corresponding drop pins each being slidably engaged with a respective frame arm; 
 
 a thermal trigger supported within the sprinkler frame and configured to support a sealing plug in a sealing position to seal the internal fire suppression liquid passageway and maintain the sprinkler head in a non-spraying state, wherein activation of the thermal trigger releases the sealing plug from the sealing position, 
 a directional fluid deflector secured to the pair of drop pins, the fluid deflector including a generally horizontal surface, the pair of drop pins extending substantially orthogonally from the horizontal surface, and an inclined surface extending angularly upwardly from the horizontal surface toward the sprinkler frame; 
 a concealing cup having a generally horizontal upper wall attached to, and horizontally outwardly projecting from, the body of the sprinkler frame, a skirting side wall extending axially distally from the upper wall, and an open base end, the pair of frame arms being positioned within the concealing cup; and 
 a cover plate attached to the concealing cup, covering the open base end of the concealing cup and maintaining the sprinkler frame in a compressed, non-activated position, wherein the pair of drop pins and the deflector are positioned within the concealing cup, the cover plate being removable from the concealing cup at a predetermined temperature, permitting the pair of drop pins and the deflector to axially slide out of the concealing cup through the open base end thereof into an extended operational position; and 
 
 the space comprising a ceiling and a window within the space and oriented substantially perpendicularly to the ceiling; 
 the concealable sprinkler head being mounted in the ceiling such that the inclined surface of the directional fluid deflector is further away from the window than the generally horizontal surface, whereby fire suppression liquid is deflectable onto the window. 
 
     
     
       3. The concealable sprinkler head in combination with the space of  claim 1 , wherein the sprinkler head is mounted in a pendent position. 
     
     
       4. The concealable sprinkler head in combination with the space of  claim 3 , wherein the ceiling is generally planar, and the cover plate is positioned against, and substantially flush with, the ceiling when the cover plate is attached to the concealing cup. 
     
     
       5. The concealable sprinkler head in combination with the space of  claim 2 , wherein the sprinkler head is mounted such that a plane extending between the pair of frame arms is parallel to the window. 
     
     
       6. The concealable sprinkler head in combination with the space of  claim 1 , wherein the inclined surface extends angularly upwardly from a linear portion of a periphery of the at least partially planar surface of the fluid deflector. 
     
     
       7. The concealable sprinkler head in combination with the space of  claim 1 , wherein the at least partially planar surface of the fluid deflector and the inclined surface of the fluid deflector define an obtuse included angle therebetween. 
     
     
       8. The concealable sprinkler head in combination with the space of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of frame arms are positioned within the concealing cup. 
     
     
       9. The concealable sprinkler head in combination with the space of  claim 1 , wherein the cover plate comprises a flanged member and a cover member, the flanged member being attached to the concealing cup and the cover member being welded onto the flanged member via a welding material having a melting point, wherein the melting point is the predetermined temperature and the cover member being configured to detach from the flanged member upon exceeding a melting point of the welding material.